As Jannik Sinner held back tears five games and 20 minutes into his hotly-anticipated final against Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati, his mind would have not only been filled with regret at being unable to play through an important final for a major tournament title, but it would have also with worry about greater priorities in the near future: defending his US Open title in less than a week in New York.
The 24-year-old World No. 1 from Italy was a no-show from the start in the latest instalment of tennis’ burgeoning new rivalry, losing the first five games before retiring from the match to hand Alcaraz, the second seed, the title.
After looking sluggish throughout the opening exchanges, Sinner was moving gingerly and serving half-heartedly, his only real strategy being to go for broke on every single point, until, after losing five successive games, he threw in the towel.
Heartbreaking 💔
Get better soon, @janniksin 🙏 pic.twitter.com/KMGSxJpEwG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 18, 2025
“I tried but I can’t,” he was heard telling the medical staff. “I feel so sorry for the fans,” he would later add.
An announcement was made by the chair umpire that he is retiring ‘due to illness’, but the Italian, who started the match in a protective sleeve on his right arm, preferred not to delve into the reasons for his withdrawal while making a short speech as runner-up for the tournament.
“I’m super super sorry to disappoint you. From yesterday I didn’t feel great. I thought that I would improve during the night but it got worse. I tried to make it at least a small match but I couldn’t handle any more,” he said.
I’m so sorry for Jannik! Nobody likes to win because their opponent retires, especially in a final like this. Wishing you a speedy recovery! ❤️ Very happy with my week in Cincinnati and feeling ready for the US Open! 💪🏻🏆
📸 @CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/wEHPT1PBOH
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) August 18, 2025
An illness on a sultry hot day in the American midwest may well be something Sinner should be able to get over, but a more serious physical issue may raise a few question marks about his defence of the US Open.
End of winning streak
Sinner ended a 25-match winning streak on hard courts to hand Alcaraz his sixth victory in seven matches against the Italian. Alcaraz extended his lead in their head-to-head to 9-5.
The Spaniard, who was focused and played near-perfect tennis to dominate his compromised opponent, won his sixth title of the year, to make it a personal best and cap off the perfect preparation for the last Major of the year in New York, where he will now be in touching distance of Sinner’s World No. 1 ranking.
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“From these situations you (Sinner) will come back better, even stronger than you always do because that’s what true champions do,” Alcaraz would say after the match.
Both players are scheduled to play the new US Open mixed doubles event, starting in less than 24 hours, in New York on Tuesday, but Sinner is now almost certain to miss out.
